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the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Budding games developers could net themselves a share of £100,000 to build a prototype.

The TIGA Games Contest is offering four prizes of £25,000, free membership of trade association TIGA for six months, mentoring and technical support.

The funding, which was announced by Creative Industries Minister Ed Vaizey at the NESTA Investment Conference earlier this week, comes from Abertay University’s Prototype Fund.

“Being able to show a potential investor a prototype can make a real difference in securing all-important funding, so this competition will provide direct help to budding developers,” Mr Vaizey said. “I hope that it will prove key to making some brilliant ideas into successful businesses.”

Paul Durrant, Director of Business Development at Abertay University, said: “Abertay University is working hard to give start-ups and young companies the opportunity to create original IP supported by the Prototype Fund and use it to secure funding and grow their companies.”

There are three categories for applications and judges will look at aspects such as market potential and whether business models are commercially viable.

To apply, register online from Monday 28 November. Applications must be received by noon on Thursday 26 January 2012.